A black sky draped over Vrasnia, the planet's lifeblood pulsing like a distant heartbeat under Nebula's dark sign. In its capital, skyscrapers of midnight glass and silver metal pierced the heavens—far more advanced than any in Capriha. Yet only a few Vrasnai remained. All bowed as Kazimir and Riah stepped from their transport.
Riah swept an appraising glance across the gathering survivors.Riah (softly): "So… these are the last of your people?"
Kazimir nodded, his voice low. "Almost extinct now. Vrasnia's glory—gone."Riah's eyes narrowed, her senses reaching inward. "There's immense power behind those gates... the same resonance as yours."
Kazimir inhaled. "That's Vanessa. She too is a Disciple of Nullity. You're about to meet the Warden—except, like me, she has rejected her role. We didn't come here for ceremony. We came for answers. And perhaps... allies."
In the Throne Hall
The palace doors towered over them, crafted from obsidian-fused metal. They swung open as Kazimir and Riah entered. Guards knelt. And at the staircase's crown stood Vanessa, her silver hair glowing like a halo in the darkness.
Vanessa (graciously): "You've returned safely, my king."
Kazimir stepped forward, tension softening.Kazimir: "For the last time—no need for formalities. We're equals."
Riah: (smiles wryly) "'My king' does have a poetic ring to it."
Vanessa chuckled—crystal laughter, echoing off cold walls.Vanessa: "Then forgive my old habits. You requested us here, Kazimir. I have warnings to share."
Riah leaned forward. "We're listening."
Three Shadows of Nebula
Vanessa's face grew solemn.Vanessa: "There are three more disciples of Nebula: Abiba, Cytherea, and—most dangerous—Rygar."
Riah's eyes widened. "What makes Rygar so lethal compared to the rest?"
Vanessa exhaled, as if recalling a nightmare.Vanessa: "I've hunted Cytherea across broken timelines. In one, I glimpsed him—Rygar—at war with Solaris in a distant galaxy."
Kazimir's expression tightened.
Vanessa continued:
"Over four thousand years ago, Rygar stood with evil purpose on the Fleet of the High Dragons. In a single spear thrust, he unleashed a white beam that pierced fifteen worlds, rupturing their cores.The chain reaction spawned the White Cataclysm—a white hole that consumed five High Dragons and collapsed entire star systems.Thus he was named… 'The Inverted Star of Nullity.'"
She paused, letting the weight of history settle in the echoes.
The Inevitable Confrontation
Vanessa paced slowly, eyes distant.Vanessa: "You and Rygar are polar opposites. His purpose is erasure. Yours… is protection. You two meeting—if uncontrolled—could unravel this galaxy."
Riah's voice was grim. "So… Cytherea is behind this? Warping reality from the shadows?"
Vanessa clenched her fists.Vanessa: "Yes—and no. She is not a fighter. She doesn't kill armies. She rewrites fate. You could face her battlefield without realizing you already lost."
Riah's brows furrowed. "If so… Rygar's cataclysm must eclipse even Kazimir's Primal Catastrophe."
Vanessa shook her head.Vanessa: "Kazimir is the Eye of Nullity. You consume to protect. Rygar rejects existence itself. All disciples reflect Solaris's Saturas—but you have your own power."
She turned to Riah, admiration in her voice.Vanessa: "I saw your flames—white, pure. The transformation you used to bring Kazimir back… they were stunning."
Riah's voice was soft, almost hesitant.Riah: "I didn't want to... but it brought him back."
Humanity's Chains
Vanessa looked directly at Kazimir. Her voice trembled—hearted but stern.
Vanessa: "But there's something we need to address. Why protect Earth—these humans—when they use you like a weapon? They fear you, rely on you… and one day, they'll betray you."
Riah's lips pressed tight.Kazimir: "What do you mean?"
Vanessa: "You've been fighting nonstop. Exhausted. When they learn you have Nullitude inside you, they'll perceive you as a tool to control. Your loyalty—your humanity—they are illusions they'll discard."
She moved around him, gaze unflinching.Vanessa: "You can't hide what you are. One day they'll demand your essence—use it as fuel. Soon enough, they'll betray the weapon they hold in high esteem."
Riah finally spoke.Riah (softly): "We protect because Solaris granted us responsibility."
Vanessa's tone hardened.Vanessa: "You still believe Solaris lives?"
Silence.
Her words cut deeper than any blade.
A Silhouette in the Veil
In that moment, the grand doors at the back of the throne hall creaked open. Silence fell.
Behind them stood Cytherea—a tall figure in flowing black, a veil concealing everything except emptiness itself. Her eyes… two perfect voids, deeper than starlight. She made no sound, but her presence thrummed like a prophecy.
The temple lights shifted unnaturally, as if reality fluttered.
Vanessa stiffened.Vanessa (soft whisper): "She's here."
Kazimir and Riah turned. Even guards dared not breathe.
Cytherea took one slow step forward. Time itself seemed to rewind around her—candles flickered back into flame. Droplets of water rose from puddles in reverse. Her gaze lifted first to Riah, then to Kazimir… then to Vanessa.
No one moved. No one spoke.
She walked past the three—and the world sighed.
Riah swallowed.Riah: "She…silenced the air."
Vanessa's voice was awed.Vanessa: "She isn't here to threaten us. She's here… to witness."
Cytherea paused by Kazimir. Her veiled head tilted slightly—an acknowledgement. Then, the Figure of Inevitability turned and walked away. The temple doors closed on her retreat—silently, forever.
The Aftermath
Silence lingered like smoke.
Riah's eyes were wide.Riah: "Solaris is... dead?"
Vanessa nodded slowly.Vanessa: "Yes. Solaris is gone."
Kazimir stared at the closed doors—at where Cytherea had stood.
Kazimir (quietly): "Then we fight… not just disciples. We fight fate."